About

DOWNTOWN MOREHEAD CITY, INC.

MISSION

VISION

Downtown Morehead City is the premier year-round waterfront community in eastern North Carolina, known for its coastal lifestyle for residents and visitors.

ABOUT US

Where is Downtown Morehead City?The commercial and residential area from the NC Port to 14th Street and north to Calico Creek and south to Bogue Sound, including Sugarloaf Island.

What is the Downtown Morehead City, Inc.?Downtown Morehead City, Inc. is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization dedicated to making Downtown Morehead City a vital community. This is done through the Main Street 4-Point Approach to downtown revitalization strategy: Organization – Promotion – Economic Vitality - Design.

How did Downtown Morehead City, Inc. begin and why?In November 1996, the Morehead City East division of the Carteret County Chamber of Commerce determined it would be beneficial to the community to develop ways to improve business conditions to attract more people to the waterfront and Arendell Street.

In April 1997 a presentation was made about the NC Main Street Program and 65 people attended. From that group, a 17-member steering committee was formed, consisting of interested downtown business and property owners, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown MHC Merchant’s Association and town and county government officials.

This group reorganized itself into the present Downtown MHC Revitalization Association in July 1997.

Morehead City became a Main Street Community in June 2000.

The organization voted to rename to Downtown Morehead City, Inc. in 2017.

Morehead City is an NC Main Street Community

BIG ROCK FOUNTAIN PAVER PURCHASE

BE A PART OF HISTORY!

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Fountain serves as a perpetual trophy for the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament and the Big Rock Keli Wagner Lady Angler Tournament. All of the past and future winners of both tournaments are memorialized with a permanent etching on the base of the fountain. The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament organizers donated the 17-foot, 1400 pound, bronze, hand-crafted statue of a blue marlin leaping out of the water.

You are invited to purchase an inscribed brick paver which will be a permanent part of the fountain. Orders are placed twice a year (June and December) and are often tax deductible contributions. Three sizes are available and pavers start at $150. The form to purchase is below.

Funds raised with the purchase help fund the maintenance of the fountain and also go into projects that help improve downtown Morehead City.

FACADE IMPROVEMENT GRANT

The appearance of a downtown is largely determined by the condition of its buildings, parking lots and public spaces. It also forms the basis of the public's overall impression of downtown.

Downtown Morehead City, Inc. has developed a Facade Improvement Grant to help business and property owners improve the exteriors of their businesses and properties, respectively. The purpose of the program is to provide an economic incentive to:

Promote storefront rehabilitation

Preserve the character of downtown

Encourage aesthetic compatibility for improvements to facades of non-historic properties

Encourage the use of quality materials

Make landscaping and other site improvements that will enhance the appearance of downtown

Funds are available periodically on a first-serve basis and priority will be given to renovation projects that visibly improve downtown.

Qualifying projects are eligible for a grant of up to $1,500 per facade or 25% of the project, whichever is less.

"GET STARTED IN A DAY"

Morehead City Planning & Inspections Department provides a one-stop shop for entrepreneurs, business developers, and property owners to meet with staff to learn about applicable City requirements for opening a new business in existing locations, as well as guidance on new commercial construction and development projects in Morehead City. During these meetings, City staff from the Public Services, Fire, Police, and Planning and Inspections Departments will be available to help guide you through City permitting processes. Staff can also help make the applicant aware of other applicable federal and state agencies which may have jurisdiction over the project.

IN THE NEWS

There is a lot going on in Downtown Morehead City. Below are links where you can find us in the news!